Hockey goon competition given green light
Last Updated: Wednesday, June 29, 2005 | 9:15 AM ET
CBC Sports
On Monday, Prince George's city council gave the green light to the "Battle of the Hockey Enforcers." The competition will feature hockey "goons" fighting on ice in a series of one-minute bouts without any hockey being played.
Last week, the council voted to cancel the show, claiming it would have tarnished the city's reputation.
Officials reversed their decision after the show's organizers threatened to sue. Organizers said they would've lost $2 million if the event was cancelled.
"The legal advice came down, and the least risk for the city was to allow the event to go ahead," said Glen Scott, who had originally voted against the event but supported it Monday.
Councillor Brian Skakun, who led the effort to stop the hockey brawl competition from coming to town, said the city should have taken its chances against any lawsuit.
"We have to draw the line somewhere, and look at what we want in our community."
Scott agreed and said he now wants to change city policy to stop similar competitions from being held in Prince George in the future.
"I don't think it does anything to enhance the city of Prince George. It certainly reinforces the redneck image we've had given to us over the years. And this certainly is still in my mind a black mark against the city of Prince George."
Councillor Dan Rogers, who pushed for the council to reconsider its decision, blamed the Vancouver news media – not the event – for tarnishing the city's image.
"It's interesting to note that of all the coverage, it's frankly been the Lower Mainland media that's been targeting Prince George more than any media across the country," he told CBC News.
"Across the country, it's been more focused on the event. I'm not sure what that says about Vancouver, and the way that they look at Prince George."
